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3/26/2009

Texas moving towards letting workers keep their guns in their cars

When I lived in Texas in the Mid-1980s there were still a few pickup trucks you would see with guns in their gun racks. In any case, this law will make it easier for people to carry their concealed handguns with them, though it does apply to more than permit holders. The AP has the story here.

Texans, who love guns and pickup trucks with equal fervor, could soon have the right to keep them together all the way into the company parking garage.

The Texas Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation Wednesday that would allow people to carry firearms to work and then store them in their parked vehicles outside. Businesses could still keep guns out of their offices and company-owned vehicles. . . . .

Senators engaged in a sometimes lively debate, but — in a state where guns are generally pried away from cold dead fingers — not a single "no" vote was cast. Business groups are hoping to derail the legislation behind the scenes, but if it makes it to the House floor, passage is considered likely there, too.

The bill states that Texans carrying legal firearms, including concealed handguns, could store them in locked vehicles in company-owned parking lots.

Employers could still ban firearms from secure, fenced parking lots and garages, but they would have to provide an alternative parking area.

The bill would not apply to school parking lots or federal property where firearms are already banned.